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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-09-08, Page 1'Truly magnificent edifice' now 'e Over three years of dreaming, planning, canvassing—and even arguing--came to end Thursday night when the South Huron Rec Centre was officially opened. The area residents who had made the dream a reality came in for some lavish praise from all the dignitaries on hand for the oc- casion, Even those who had opposed the project were given praise by one of the speakers. Rec centre committee chair- man John Stephens said the vocal critics had helped give the people working on the project added incentive. "They were a very necessary part, and we have a better recreation facility because of them," he said. He told the residents of South Huron that the facility represented the end product of their efforts. "Make use of it ( the centre)," he urged them, "you've earned it'! Stephens paid particular tribute to the various committees which had been involved in project, terming their efforts as being a "fantastic job", "I have never worked with a better, more conscientious and dedicated group of people," he concluded. Chairman for the opening ceremonies was Carl Cann, who noted the occasion was a "proud time for all of us here tonight", Huron warden Doug McNeil commended the cooperation of the residents of Exeter, Usborne and Stephen in making the Almost 5,000 people attended the various events staged in conjunction with the grand opening of the South Huron Rec Centre over the Labor Day weekend. Financial returns have not been completely tabulated from the events, but it is expected that the canvass will be slightly short of its total, Organizers had hoped to raise $20,000, Most of the money raised from the opening is ear-marked for tables, chairs, kitchen equipment and other accessories for the building and it will probably be necessary to raise some ad- ditional funds yet to pay these hills, Close to 800 people were at the Thursday official opening which was followed by a wine and cheese reception. The number in attendance surprised most of the organizers, and while guests were asked not to make too many trips to the wine table, there appeared to be ample stock on hand. The dance with Walter Ostanek , which followed the grand opening, was attended by just under 700 people. Friday night's bingo attracted project possible and predicted they would realize many benefits from the facility. His comments in that regard were echoed by MP Robert McKinley, who noted that the facility was made possible through the dedication, initiative and hard work of hundreds of people, The Zurich area native ex- plained that he had played hockey in the old arena when fans were packed in to the rafters and predicted there would be similar crowds at the new facility. lie presented the rec centre board of management with pictures of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and also a Canadian flag. Representing the ministry of culture and recreation, London South MPP Gordon Walker noted that Exeter's old arena was one of the first to be closed by the ministry of labor and the new rec centre was one of the first to be opened of the 131 new arenas in Ontario. "It's a magnificent edifice and a tribute to the people of all three communities," he remarked. He noted that the centre had been funded in part by Wintario funds and explained this was a voluntary tax in that people only had to buy tickets if they so wished. It was suggested by the London politician that the Wintario funds being returned to the community were probably only a portion of that which the same citizens have spent on tickets. almost 350 and the Tommy Dorsey dance on Saturday was enjoyed by over 850. Sunday's barbecue and gospel service was the top drawing attraction, Almost 800 were fed in the first banquet held at the new auditorium and there were over 1,000 at the gospel event. The Monday night rock concert by Liverpool attracted over 700. The special events were con- ducted by various community groups and service clubs, with all proceeds being turned over to the rec centre fund. The exception was the gospel service. Proceeds from that went to the South Huron Association for the Mentally Retarded. Groups assisting at the various events were the Exeter and Area Fire Department, Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Exeter Lions, Beta Sigma Phi Sororities, Exeter Kinsmen and the Exeter Ministrial Association, The three area councils hosted the wine and cheese party. Some area residents attended all six of the special attractions through the package deal which was offered. For them, it was a real Labor Day weekend! "You deserve all the credit in the world and this is a testimonial to what people can do in a voluntary effort," he concluded. Stephen Reeve Cecil Desjar- dine said he had to admire what has been accomplished and noted that a great deal of time had been devoted by many people. "You can be very proud of what has happened here," he said, In reference to his municipality's decision to cooperate on the venture, he said that many Stephen residents would use the building and it was only right that they should have some part in its operation. Usborne Deputy-Reeve Murray Dawson, filling in for Reeve Bill Morley, thanked the people in his municipality who had assisted with the campaign for funds, Three attend convention The Hon, Claude Bennett, minister of industry and tourism, believes sincere commitment by the business people within an area is the prime factor in preventing deterioration of Main Street, Ontario, Bennett was addressing the first conference of the Federation of Business Improvement Areas, Among the 250 delegates representing over 60 established areas across Ontario were Ron Cottrell, Bob Swartman and Harold Gunn from Exeter. The conference and workshop sessions were held in Toronto. The Business Improvement Area Plan is a "self-help" organization sanctioned by municipal bylaw and supported by taxation of businesses within the area. The object is to beautify, improve and maintain lands, buildings and structures in the area owned by the municipality, and promote the area as a business and shopping area. The Exeter Business Improvement Area designated as the "Mainway" has sponsored the July Sidewalk Sale, and in- stalled planters on the lamp poles along the street. The local Improvement Area operates on a budget of $12,500.00 this year. Across the province ap- proximately 12,000 businesses are spending over one and three quarter million dollars to im- prove downtown shopping areas. NOR ZONE RALLY The R. E, -Pooley branch Legion will host a zone rally in Exeter this Sunday. Council this week gave the Legion permission to stage a parade and wreath laying ceremony for that occasion, About 100 Legion members are expected to participate. The Legion members will also be involved in this Sunday's decoration service at Exeter cemetery. He urged area residents to forget some of the problems that had arisen in the past "and think of the future and support this facility so it will be financially sound' Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw suggested it was "amazing" that were things that could be done to make the system that much better. Lockerbie presented the board with a 45 page draft of the final report representing about six months work managed by he and Chapman. The evaluation was commissioned by the board in February and was to be done on the Exeter family of schools. The Exeter area was chosen because of its unique geography isiTthat six elementary- schools, di% school for the retarded all feed into South Huron Secondary Sehool in Exeter, The board hoped that by completing the evaluation on the Exeter schools it could get a good impression of how the education system was performing across the county. Lockerbie said that if he had to pick out the one area that seemed to be troubling most people in Only three accidents were investigated by the Exeter OPP this week, despite the heavy traffic on area highways over the holiday weekend. Two of the crashes occurred on Friday, one involving a vehicle driven by Richard Reaburn, RR 3, Dashwood. He lost control on Stephen concession 16-17 and went into the ditch, Damage was listed at $300 by Constable Ed, Ed Wilcox. The other Friday accident happened on concession 18.19 of Stephen. A vehicle driven by Jackie Delaney, RR 2 Kippers, collided with a parked vehicle owned by Bryan Hicks, RR 8, Park hill. the event was being held in view of the mammoth undertaking it represented. "It couldn't have education it would be the goals of education. He said some teachers are wondering what they're achieving and what their goals should be and the system could use some human resources to work with teachers to lay down a firm philosophy for education, He said he was generally im- pressed with the system in Huron. He said there seemed to be a good climate that most professionals were concerned and dedicated to education and that no one' working on the evaluation found someone who didn't care. The evaluation was a long process according to Lockerbie. He said the first step was an internal evaluation completed by teachers, students and parents directly involved with education. The people were questioned, surveyed and asked for opinions Constable Frank Giffin in- vestigated and set damage at $500. The other crash occurred on Sunday when vehicles driven by Bruce Phillips, London, and Daniel Laporte, RR 2 Zurich, collided on Highway 21, one mile north of Highway 83. Damage was estimated at $1,700 by Constable Jim Rogers. During the week, the local detachment officers charged 22 people under the Highway Traffic Act, four under the Liquor Licence Act, two under the Criminal Code and one under the Narcotic Control Act. without the work of the com- mittees and the time,effort and dollars contributed," he continued. and the information catalogued. From there a group of professionals ' from outside the county came to Exeter and visited schools, surveyed teachers, students and parents Consider paving projects for '78 Works superintendent Glenn Kells was given permission this week to have the necessary engineering and estimates prepared for several paving jobs next year, Included will be Andrew St., John St. from Main to William, Wellington St. from Main to the rec centre and William St. from Sanders to Gidley. The report was prepared by Kells and Councillor Ted Wright. Reeve Si Simmons', chairman of the committee, suggested that council should consider some work on Wellington St. West in view of the heavy traffic it receives. However, Kells replied there were no storm sewers on that street as yet and this would have to be undertaken before any paving was considered. Deputy-Reeve Don MacGregor also urged council to consider some project to help alleviate the problems being experienced on Carling St, Council will probably not make a final decision on what projects to accept for next year until early 1978. At Tuesday's meeting, MacGregor noted that work was underway on replacing some sidewalk in the community and suggested that the recent tar and chips program was "one of the best jobs we've ever had". Noting there would not be any need for public money to be spent on the.facility, he said people had to be pleased and thankful for that. Shaw, who is chairman of the board of management, went on to say that with the cooperation of everyone, he could guarantee that the operation of the facility would not become a burden on the taxpayers of this area. He paid tribute to the cooperation of the residents of the three municipalities adding that it was no longer possible for people to get along by themselyes without that type of cooperation. After the speeches, the representatives of Nor thside Construction turned the keys over to George Naom of Cam- brian Facilities Ltd. and he in turn handed the keys over to Shaw. Naom, who paid special tribute to the efforts of building corn- mittee chairman King McDonald, noted the facility was built for the younger generation. After the presentation of the keys, the Rev. Glenn Wright dedicated the building, paying tribute to the visionary people who had made it possible, Price Per Copy 25 Cents and compiled their findings in an external report. Lockerbie and Chapman then compared the two reports and wrote a final draft for the board. Lockerbie said the final draft was the only valid material. He said the internal and external reports were for background information only, adding that anywhere the two reports agreed or anything that kept recurring in the two was put in the final draft as a recommendation or opinion. Lockerbie said the real purpose of the exercise was not to com- pare the Huron system with Please turn to page 3 Usborne buy new grader At its latest meeting Usborne township council approved the purchase of a new motor grader. The new machine will be purchased from Equipment Sales and Service of Rexdale for $73,065.76, Council provisionally adopted two municipal drains initiated by the township of Stephen but in- cluding owners in Osborne. They are the Prout and Shapton drains. Five new applications have been received for the Ontario Home Renewal Pan and payments and advances in the amount of $22,600 were authorized. The tile drainage inspector reported completion of four jobs to a total loan value of $20,200. Road superintendent John Batten was instructed to charge an interest rate of 12 percent per annum on overdue 1976 accounts and have these added to the tax roll. Over 5,000 attend rec opening events The Huron County education system is basically sound ac- cording to an evaluation report released Tuesday but it needs someone to offer some direction and goals for educators in Huron. Jay Lockerbie, project co- ordinator for the ministry of education, told the Huron County Board of Education Tuesday that the education system in Huron is basically sound but needs people to offer some guidance for teachers to help reap as much benefit from the 'system-t-tisl% possible. Summarizing an evaluation report on the Huron Education system, Lockerbie, who along with Exeter Public School principal Jim Chapman, told the board that the general climate in the education system was good and there were many strengths in the system but added that there were areas that needed im- provement. He said the im- provements needed "were not necessarily weaknesses" but SNIP, SNIP, SNIP — This ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the South Huron Rec Centre, Thursday. Derry Boyle, left, and Reg McDonald, right, held the ribbon, They were chosen for the honor because McDonald was the first to skate in the old arena and Boyle One Hundred and Fourth Year been done Accidents down to three this week was the last, Others from the left are Usborne Deputy-Reeve Murray Dawson, rec centre chairman John Stephens, Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw, London South MPP Gordon Walker and Stephen Reeve Cecil Desjardine. T-A photo EXETER, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 8, 1977 en exeferZtnessAbuccafe Survey of area schools is tabled, suggests education basically sound r Ali G . PULLED TO SAFETY — Bob Blair drives a tractor to pull a farm truck out of danger of the fire which destroyed a barn on the Blair Bros. farm east of Centralia, Friday. Bill Essery is steering the truck. Fire levels huge area barn IT WAS HOT — 'An unidentified fireman heads for shelter in a shed after a large portion of the Blair Bras, barn tumbled to the ground and sent flames and debris high into the air. The barn was destroyed in the Friday morning fire after it was ignited by an exploding light bulb in the hay mow, T-A photo An exploding light bulb has been blamed for the fire which levelled a huge barn on the Blair Brothers farm a mile east of Centralia Friday morning. The farm is operated in part- nership by Jack and Bob Blair. Bob was upstairs in the mow when the tight bulb exploded, but attempts by he and his brother to eXtinguish the flames proved futile. Within seconds, the mow was a mass of flames, Jack told the T- A. He said the draught took the fire right across the top Of the mow in the 50' by 110' structure. The brothers Managed to get 17 head of fat cattle and a bull out of the barn before it was devoured by the flames. Lost in the blaze were 400 hens, 8,000 bales, of hay, almost .100 acres of straw, 1,000 bushels of barley and 1,000 bushels of oats, plus a considerable amount of milking equipment, a grain drill and other pieces of farm equipment, "We could have removed the drill, but we just forgot it was there," Jack Blair reported, The Lem' fire department responded to the call and they in turn called lb Granton to assist, The Exeter tank truck was alSo called to the scene. The three departments kept a steady supply Of water on hand to douse the nearby home occupied by Bob Blair as well as several out buildings. Neighbors arrived to help remove machinery and equip- ment from the nearby buildings but the fire brigades managed to save them. "The firemen did a great job," Jack commented. The ,two large silos located on the north side of the barn were also scorched by the flames and it is not khown hoW extensively they were damaged, One of the silos was full, The two brothers said they did not have an estimate of their loss. Jack said they would probably replace the barn if the silos are still useable. On Monday, a number of neigh- ' hors and friends showed up at the farm to help clear up the debris. :fel The smouldering grain was taken to a nearby bush. The cement foundation of the „„.4 barn crumbled due to the heat and even large steel beams were twisted akin to pretzels, Much of the water used by the firemen was hauled from the nearby farm pond owned by Allan Elston. Elston, whose barn is directly east of the Blair property, said he sat up in his mow most of Friday morning to make sure no debris came in through the cracks between the beards. He said he picked up Several pieces Of burning material from the ground, but none Managed to get into the barn. It was estimated that some of the debris was going as high as 3,000 feet into the air due to the heat and air buildup in the spectacular fire, 'a